So long analog TV; it was great knowing you

Isn’t today the big big day for the transition to digital television? You can be forgiven for forgetting — in fact that’s just how the Obama administration wants it.

Ill-prepared back in February, when the U.S. was supposed to go all-digital all the time, the government decided to push back the switchover date by four months. Experts tell the Los Angeles Times that the delay should help avoid major problems, although about 2.8 million people could be left out in the cold when they try to turn on the tube.

The smart folks over at RPA, the advertising agency based in Los Angeles, put together of list of the markets that are best prepared — and those that aren’t. It cited data from The Nielsen Co, which has been studying preparations for the transition.

What about all of us in rural areas where we could get VHF broadcast before today but now since the digital signal is too weak to reach our homes we are left with expensive options that many may not be able to afford. It has been determined that the right to TV is protected by the right to free speech amnedment but only if you are financially well off.

I too live in a rural area (my Vermont town’s population is just over 3000), and I put up with spotty cell phone service and car radio that fades when I go into some valleys, and in fact most of us here never got decent analog TV from antennas. However, I can’t say I’m persuaded to the argument that the government owes me or anyone else free TV.

@ Les: Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF HAPPINESS! Just a right to the PURSUIT of it. Read a book and get out from under the the thumb of the Idiot Box. You obviously have the internet. Personally I can find more to do on the net than broadcast television could offer.

Les, why do you “choose” to live where you can’t afford the “trade offs” or risks of living where you do? You chose “rural” over “urban”. Most likely your utility rates are already subsidized by more populous per sq ft or mile urban residential dweller rates and commercial and industrial user rates (yes that’s built into rates). You are further away from health services and emergency services. Why should they subsidize your “choices” when you most likely live where you do to get away from them??

Les, you had over 4 years warning that this was coming. If you are so cheap not to have a satellite dish, you are getting what is coming to you. I live in a semi-rural area of Nevada where there was no broadcast TV available even on analog – so I have had a dish for a couple years. You have no “right” to be entertained. I see that you pay for internet, pony up and pay for TV too. Either that or just get a Netflix account and make due with DVDs. Either way, STOP WHINING about being persecuted – the only one stopping you from having TV is yourself!

Les: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Got it! Now in just re-reviewing that statement, I, personaly, find no instance of a guarantee toward “entertainment”. If you don’t mind telling me, just where do you see that you have a right for “entertainment”.

I can see how Les is upset – where I live in Indiana, I got 8 channels with my outdoor antenna. As of this afternoon, I get one. I’m torn – should I pay for TV that I used to watch for free, or just abandon TV for the internet and get the rest through Netflix and Redbox? Or is my neighbor right, and this is just a big shift by the Gov’t to get more money into the economy to offset big auto?

Having a hand-held television was helpful when we were involved with emergency support after hurricane Katrina. They were cheap enough that I could take one with me. The expensive digital alternatives won’t be going with me in the next emergency.

@Les: You’ve been warned for four years. *NOW*, of all times, you choose to complain. And where in the amendment to free speech does it say anything about television? You can pay for Internet service. Pay for a converter box, pay for a TV with a digital tuner, pay for cable, or do nothing and watch the snow on your TV.

I care a little less now. I’d be happy watching Hee-Haw rather than put up with all the bombardment of nonsensical 2-note jingles gnawing at my ear with wanton lyrical quavers piercing through my ears forcing me to grind my teeth in despair through every 30-second commercial. Cable has more commercials than it’s worth. I just dusted my VCR and DVD players. Suddenly I care a little more about NetFlix.

The BIG deal is that all though the signal is digital yet the only way to recieve the digital signal is to have a digital box. Hence the signal is encrypted; I have a analog radio yet the signals are digital yet I do recieve the digital signal via my analog radio and am happy with the SOUND that comes out of my box!!! It is another way for the government to get into your home.